Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel's billboards along I-75 in northern Michigan send a message - he's in the game.

(File Photo | MLive)

You gotta wonder how many of the political big shooters going to Mackinac Island this week will kick themselves in the pants saying, “Why didn’t I do that?” They didn’t but Mark Hackel did, again. The Macomb County executive has again placed along I-75 not one but two giant billboards touting his Macomb County as an asset to the region. Unless you are asleep at the wheel, you can’t miss it. The message on the thing is not the real message; a huge smiling mug shot of the county executive is. With shirt sleeves rolled up, a la former Michigan U.S. Senate Don Riegle, Mr. Hackel is smiling at all of the 1500 participants making the annual sojourn to worship at the alter of big business during the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce conference on the island. Here’s the implied message that Mr. Hackel did not print on the placards: I’m still in the game. I’m a political force to contend with. When I grow-up, the current job I have will not do. The billboards will create some buzz just as they did last year and it’s a good move. But his office is not content with that. It also sent out feelers to the media, “Do you need some time with Mark Hackel on the island?” writes his media go-between. The same outreach has been done by Gov. Rick Snyder’s handlers and his Democratic challenger Mark Schauer. Of course you’ll remember last year, the trio got involved in a nifty little political story as Mr. Hackel revealed on the front porch of the Grand Hotel that he was not going to endorse in the governor’s race this year. As a “good” Democrat it made a splash and established Mr. Hackel as somebody who didn’t toe the party line just because it was the correct thing to do. It also made some D’s wonder, just how good of a D he really is. Mr. Hackel has already explained he is not about party labels and in fact he doesn’t like them. Are you listening independent and maverick voters? Mr. Schauer, who was also working the porch, had to scramble to explain why the most powerful Democrat in a very important vote rich county was stiffing him. “He doesn’t really know me,” was the “best-I-can-do” explanation Team Schauer trotted out. And then there was the beaming incumbent GOP governor who returned the favor by expounding on what a great guy Mr. Hackel was and how working together they were making a difference. The Schauer guys will again have to explain why there is no endorsement after Mr. Hackel has had a full year to get to know the Democratic nominee. Maybe they could buy a billboard to do that?

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